Step 8: Go on the offense!

And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hades [Hell] will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on Earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on Earth will be loosed in heaven. – Jesus of Nazareth, as recorded in Matthew 16:18-19

The meaning of "this rock" remains debated across church denominations. However, there is another key and often overlooked takeaway. Jesus referenced the Gates of Hell. Regarding warfare, are gates an offensive or defensive form of battle?

Gates are uniquely used in defensive warfare, often protecting a castle, town, base, and other such establishments. Gates are used to prevent an attacking force from penetrating a perimeter while protecting those within its walls. With this in mind, what form of warfare (offense or defense) is the Church to employ?

*If we're to overcome the gates of Hell, the Church must return to the offense!*

Our goal is to overtake enemy terrain by rescuing the souls of those who are perishing from the flames of judgment (Jude 23a). How mission-focused is the Church in America today? Are we advancing the heavenly kingdom here on Earth, or have we built our own walls with gates and asked those lost to join us inside our establishments?

In the Book of Acts, we see how Christianity, fueled by the Holy Spirit, first exploded and overtook a paganized world. Is this growth happening today? If so, where is it happening? Is it happening in America? Why or why not?

Deception is a developed art of civilization and the most potent weapon in the game of power. ― Robert Greene